Council plans to hike parking fees

OXFORD - oxford Borough Council is moving forward to advertise a new ordinance that will increase parking fines and keep meters working longer.

The new ordinance proposes increasing the enforcement hours for the parking meters in the downtown so that motorists will have to put coins in the meters from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Parking violations fines will increase from the present $10 to $15. Those who do not pay their citation within 10 days will receive an additional $25 fine bringing the total to $40 plus court costs.

“The purpose of this was to be able to maintain enforcement. That enforcement would provide the business that are located downtown the opportunity to maintain patrons,” council member Jamie Cole said. He went on to explain that more businesses in Oxford are showing an interest in extending their hours into the evening. Business owners want to keep vehicles moving in and out of parking spots so that there will be spaces available for customers.

To enforce the longer hours, the borough plans to add an additional parking meter attendant to the borough staff.

In other business, council made three reappointments to the Oxford Borough Planning Commission. Linnea Raffaele, M. Walter Saranetz and Oxford Mayor Geoff Henry were each appointed to serve additional terms. The Council also accepted the resignation of Codes Enforcement Officer George Gus.

The borough council will hold three meetings in January, the firs a reorganizational meeting on Mon. Jan. 6, followed by their regular meetings on the second and third Mondays of the month. Council also discussed the possible addition of a brief meeting on Dec. 30 if needed.